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Yangon Port Guide

Yangon Port is situated in the largest city of Myanmar (formerly Burma). The Yangon port of call is on the banks of the Yangon River and serves as a river port that handles trade and cruise vessels at the same time; it is an important entry point for business and commerce in Myanmar. The former name of the city was Rangoon until 1989.

Yangon was a small fishing village in the early sixthcentury. It was first known as Dagon and later renamed by King Alaungpaya in 1755; it started to prosper when trade and commerce entered the scene. As a British colony, Yangon had many parks and lakes and was regarded favorably as a colony. Although the capital of Myanmar transferred to Naypyidaw, the city of Yangon remains a major commercial city in the country.

The Yangon cruise port is only a small part of the thriving industries that are thriving in the region. Revolutions and civil unrest for the past few years limited the access of cruise vessels into the Yangon cruise terminal. However, recent efforts have been in place to bring life back to the tourism industry.

Shopping

Myanmar is a country proud of its heritage and culture. Although dominated by the British for several centuries, the locals are determined to promote their culture; it is evidenced in the native products such as native bags, handmade jewelries and beaded woodworks. Textiles are also favorites among tourists to purchase. The perfect place to do some local bargaining is the Bogokye Aung San Market; the epitome of true Southeast Asian culture, the market sells a wide variety of textiles and native goods.

Modern shopping centers and malls also are abundant in the city. The FMI Center is home to various brands of clothes and shoes and sells them at competitive prices. Located at 380 Bogoyoke Aung San St, it is a good place to do some shopping.

Things to See

Proud of its heritage, the Port of Yangon is an exotic place to visit. Romantic and serene settings around the city make it a haven for lovers and couples. The Shwedagon pagoda is a great sight to see. Said to have been constructed during Buddha’s time, the pagoda of Yangon is the most sacred of all pagodas in the country. Relics from four past Buddhas (Buddah means awakened one) entombed here signify its importance to the religion of Buddhism.

Another area of interest in Yangon is the Yangon Zoological Gardens. Opened by the British in 1906, it houses the largest collections of wildlife in Myanmar. The Gardens spans an area of 70 acres and is the home to over 300 species of trees, 59 species of mammals and 60 species of birds.

Restaurants and Bars

Burmese dishes are some of the most exquisite dishes served on most restaurants in Yangon. The Kandawji Palace Hotel offers a good seafood restaurant as part of its amenities. Serving specialty steamed fishes and rice cooked in garlic and butter, the hotel’s restaurant is a good place to dine.

The Sabai Sabai Restaurant located at 232 Dhama Zedi Road has a specialty of minced seafood that is mixed with spices; this mixture is made into a croquette and fried; it is one of the local favorites.